Golf club back in the swing
OWNERS of a Kirwan golf club are hoping their revamp will restore it as the best course in North Queensland.
Later this month the newly named Tropics Golf Club, formerly known as Willows Golf Club, will host a major tournament giving competitors the chance to see the improvement.
The beleagured club was described as being “on its knees” before the new owners took over.
As well as securing two million litres of recycled water to ensure the greens are pristine, the club has a new café, golf centre, bar and a new head PGA professional.
ONCE Townsville’s premier golf resort, there have been plenty of rough days for the former Willows Golf Course at Kirwan.
But there is hope those years of turmoil are in the past as the newly branded Tropics Golf Club eyes off a brighter future.
Changes of ownership had dotted the facility over the past few years but new head PGA professional Matthew Duke is full of confidence in the path the new owners are taking.
Mr Duke has returned to the course, having worked as a professional there from 2006 to 2011 when, he said, the facility descended into “rubble” and changed hands multiple times.
He said the club was “on its knees” before the new owners took charge.
“It was on the slide to ground zero,” Mr Duke said.
The new owners have secured two million litres of re- cycled effluent water every day for a decade to ensure pristine playing conditions, while a new cafe, golf centre and full bar have opened up at the revamped club.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents list New South Wales- based James Chrisofidellis of Panania as the director of Tropics Golf Club Pty Ltd.
Mr Duke said a hectic works schedule over the past year had seen flood mitigation measures introduced, irrigation repaired, bunkers opened up and all 18 greens readied for play. He said there was a “real positive buzz” among members and the public, who were able to access the privately owned club.
The upgraded facilities will be tested on August 11 and 12, when the PVW Men’s Tropics Open Championship is contested, with $ 10,000 in cash and prizes on offer.
Internationally renowned designer Graham Marsh is modifying the 18- hole championship course.
Having previously hosted the PGA Queensland Masters, Mr Duke said they were eager to quickly re- establish the course as the best in North Queensland.
Mr Duke said the new owners had invested about $ 1.5 million so far to upgrade the course and facilities and he expected more investment in extensions and renovations of the clubhouse as the business began to grow.
Mr Duke said the new course was “not just for golfers” and they were already fielding inquiries for weddings, receptions, engagements and other private functions and were planning on hosting a number of cultural community events.